Taming Natasha Read Online Free PDF

her hips and the soft, fresh-scrubbed flavor of her scent. The box she chose was carved of wood, its pedestal topped with a cat and a fiddle, a cow and a quarter moon. As it turned to “Stardust,” he saw the laughing dog and the dish with the spoon.
    â€œIt’s charming.”
    â€œIt’s one of my favorites.” She’d decided that any man who adored his daughter so blatantly couldn’t be all bad. So she smiled again. “I think it would be a lovely memento, something she could play on her first day of college and remember her father was thinking of her.”
    â€œIf he survives first grade.” He shifted slightly to look at her. “Thank you. It’s perfect.”
    It was the oddest thing—his body had hardly brushed hers, but she’d felt a jolt. For an instant she forgot he was a customer, a father, a husband, and thought of him only as a man. His eyes were the color of the river at dusk. His lips, as they formed the barest hint of a smile, were impossibly attractive, alluring. Involuntarily she wondered what it would be like to feel them against her own—to watch his face as mouth met mouth, and see herself reflected in his eyes.
    Appalled, she stepped back and her voice grew colder. “I’ll box it for you.”
    Intrigued by the sudden change in tone, he took his time following her back to the counter. Hadn’t he seen something in those fabulous eyes of hers? Or was it wishful thinking? It had gone quickly enough, heat smothered in frost. For the life of him he could find no reason for either.
    â€œNatasha.” He laid a hand on hers as she began to pack the music box.
    Slowly she lifted her eyes. She was already hating herself for noticing that his hands were beautiful, wide-palmed, long-fingered. There was also a note of patience in his voice that stretched her already frayed nerves. “Yes?”
    â€œWhy do I keep getting the feeling you’d like to boil me in oil?”
    â€œYou’re mistaken,” she said evenly. “I don’t think I’d like that.”
    â€œYou don’t sound convinced.” He felt her hand flex under his, soft and strong. The image of steel-lined velvet seemed particularly apt. “I’m having some trouble figuring out exactly what I’ve done to annoy you.”
    â€œThen you’ll have to think about it. Cash or charge?”
    He’d had little practice with rejection. Like a wasp it stung the ego. No matter how beautiful she was, he had no desire to continue to ram his head against the same brick wall.
    â€œCash.” The door jangled open behind them and he released her hand. Three children, fresh from school, came in giggling. A young boy with red hair and a face bursting with freckles stood on his toes in front of the counter.
    â€œI have three dollars,” he announced.
    Natasha fought back a grin. “You’re very rich today, Mr. Jensen.”
    He flashed her a smile that revealed his latest missing tooth. “I’ve been saving up. I want the race car.”
    Natasha only lifted a brow as she counted out Spence’s change. “Does your mother know you’re here spending your life savings?” Her new customer remained silent. “Scott?”
    He shifted from one foot to the other. “She didn’t say I couldn’t.”
    â€œAnd she didn’t say you could,” Natasha surmised. She leaned over to tug at his cowlick. “Go and ask her, then you come back. The race car will still be here.”
    â€œBut, Tash—”
    â€œYou wouldn’t want your mother to be mad at me, would you?”
    Scott looked thoughtful for a moment, and Natasha could tell it was a tough choice. “I guess not.”
    â€œThen go ask her, and I’ll hold one for you.”
    Hope blossomed. “Promise?”
    Natasha put a hand on her heart. “Solemnly.” She looked back at Spence, and the amusement faded from her eyes.